Air fryer baked pears are tender, juicy and incredibly delicious. Air frying brings out an almost nutty flavor in these caramel pears that will have you craving fresh fruit for dessert all the time.
Late summer marks the start of pear season and the beginning of my obsession with air fryer pears. These caramel pears contain simple ingredients and are the perfect way to give a nod to summer and usher in fall while still enjoying fresh, local produce. Lucky for me, I can also get pears all year round to make this delicious dessert.
I get a little giddy as the air starts to cool and the first hint of fall colors begin to make their appearance. August marks the changing of the guard and pears are standing sentry. When this juicy fruit makes its first appearance in the market, I know good things are soon to come.
I love grilled fruit but as we start to do more cooking indoors, I let my air fryer take over and air fryer pears are a delightful treat. Not only is this pears recipe fresh and full of flavor, but it's also naturally vegan (check your caramel ingredients) and gluten free!
This simple dessert will surely satisfy your sweet tooth. If you like making desserts in your air fryer also try my Air Fryer Smores Recipe.
Ingredients
- Pears – Select ripe pears and cut them in half. Bartlett pears are very juicy pears and my favorite. Anjou, bosc and comice pears are also tasty choices. The key is making sure the fresh pears are ripe.
- Melted Butter – Use salted or unsalted butter.
- Cinnamon – Fresh cinnamon will have a more intense flavor so check the expiration date on your spice packages.
- Caramel Sauce – Purchase jarred caramel sauce to make this super simple.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Cut the pears in half and remove the cores with a spoon, knife or melon baller.
2. Brush the pear halves with melted butter, sprinkle with cinnamon and place pears in a single layer in your air fryer basket or rack. Cook at 375F for 10 minutes or until the pears are tender.
3. Place the pears on a plate and garnish with caramel sauce and more cinnamon.
Hint: Be sure to wash your pears but you do not have to peel pears.. The peels are full of nutrients so I prefer to leave them on.
Substitutions / Variations
- Pears - Use your favorite variety of pears.
- Cinnamon - Use a bit of nutmeg or a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice for a warm, seasonal flavor.
- Caramel Sauce - Looking for something more natural? Use a drizzle of maple syrup instead of caramel sauce or make a homemade caramel sauce with brown sugar. If you are a chocolate lover, you can also substitute chocolate sauce. This will make a decadent dessert.
- Nuts – A sprinkling of chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts adds crunch and flavor. Nuts are also a great addition to make an elegant dessert.
- Spicy Pears – Sprinkle with red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
Equipment
Melon Baller – A melon baller makes removing the core of the pears a cinch. If you don't have a melon baller you can use a spoon or a knife.
Storage
If you have leftovers (I doubt that you will) you can store the caramel pears in an airtight container for 2-3 days. We don't recommend freezing this recipe.
Top tip
Want to take these air fryer pears to the next level? Top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some fresh whipped cream before serving.
FAQS
Bartlett pears tend to be the juiciest but you can use any type of pear. The key is selecting pears that are ripe but not mushy.
Yes! Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake the pears for 10-15 minutes.
You can certainly double or even triple this recipe. The key is to avoid overcrowding your air fryer. You may need to cook in batches.
More Fresh Fruit Desserts
- Grilled Apricots with Cinnamon, Ricotta and Honey
- Honey Lime Berry Fruit Salad with Mint
- Macerated Berries with Marscapone Cream from Grumpy's Honey Bunch
- Nectarine Compote Dessert from Dizzy, Busy and Hungry
If you like this Air Fryer Pears recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.
RECIPE
Air Fryer Pears with Caramel or Cinnamon
Ingredients
- 2 pears, halved
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce
Instructions
- Cut pears in half and core out the middle. Brush the halves cut side up with the melted butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Place on the air fryer rack or in basket and cook at 375F for 10 to 12 minutes or until pears are soft and carmelized on the top. (Preheat air fryer if necessary.)
- Drizzle with caramel sauce. Serve with ice cream or whilpped cream if desired.
Nutrition
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Carol Miarka
What temperature do you cook the pears? Do you pre-heat air fryer?
lisa
Carol,
Cook them at 375F. Only preheat your air fryer if it is the kind that needs to be preheated. Enjoy!
Lisa